Spectral flame burners and burner apparatus



April 13, 1965 J. lsREELl 3,177,758

SPECTRAL FLAME BURNERS AND BURNER APPARATUS Filed Oct. 7, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet l INV EN TR. JACK /Seeu April 13, 1965 J. lsREELl 3,177,758

SPECTRAL FLAME BURNERS AND BURNER APPARATUS Filed Oct. '7. 1960 y 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 f 'Le 7" l 0/ l no T. E. \l@@mn 'mo INV EN TOR. JA CK /seeu @block to the burner.

`valve cover plate 20 by bolts 21 and a gasket 22 is inter- `posed between thevalve block and thecover plate. The `va1ve cover plate is provided with bolts 24 for securing `the apparatus to a support memberwhich is not shown.

United States Patent O M 3,177,758 SPECTRAL FLAME BURNERS AND `BURNER APPARATUS Jack Isreeli, Tuckahoe, N.Y., assignor to Technicon lnstrunients Corporation, Chauncey, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Oct. 7, 1964i, Ser. No. 61,222 Claims. (Cl. 88-14) Another object is -to provide `a spectral llame burner which is well adapted to provide a high temperature tlamerwithout requiring water cooling of the burner body.

Another object is the provision of spectral tlame burner apparatus which includes improved auxiliary devices for `premixing the fuel gas and combustion-supporting gas to form a combustible gaseous mixture for both the auxiliary llame and the` spectral llame.

Another object is to provide a spectral llame burner with sample feed means which minimize the effect of pressure variations of the sample due to the treatment -thereof for spectralame analysis. i

A further object is generally to provide a spectral `llame burner of improved design which is simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture.

The above `and other objects, features and advantages `ofthe invention will be fully understood from the following description consideredY in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings: FIG. 1A is a vertical sectional view of the spectral .llame burner, taken on the line 1A-IlA of FIG. 8;

FIG. 1B is a vertical sectional view of the valve block `furthe spectral llame burner;

FIG. 2 is `a top plan view of the burner apparatus,

partly in section taken on the line 2 2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the apparatus i looking inthe direction of arrowlof FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side `elevational view of part of the apparatus, looking in the direction of arrow 4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a` vertical sectional view taken on the line .5f-5 of'FIG. A1; o

TIG. 6 is a` horizontal sectional view, on a larger scale, taken on the` line 6--6 of FIG. l; i FIG. 7 is a horizontal sectional view, on a larger scale,

` is a horizontal view, on a larger scale, taken on rhelinezs-s Oruro. `1.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the spectral flarneburner apparatus 10 of the present invention comprises a spectral llame burner V12 and a valve block `14 which isspaced fromthe burner by the rigid tubes 16 a`11d^`18`on which the burner 12 is supported and `which transmit a combustible gaseous mixture `from the valve The valve block is secured `to a Burner `12 comprises amain body part 26 which has a central vertical `bore 28 which provides a vertical pas- "sagerfor the combustible gaseous mixture consisting of a'"suitablewgaseous fuel forexample propane, cyanogen, etc., anda gas for supporting combustion, for "example i 3,177,758 Patented Apr. i3, 1965 oxygen. The bore extends to the upper end or tip of the body part to provide a central opening 30 at said tip. A capillary tube 32 of small diameter extends through the bore and the upper outlet end of the tube is at opening 30 for introducing the liquid to be analyzed into the main llame of the burner whose base is formed at opening Ell to form the spectral llame. The diameter of tube 32 is slightly less than the diameter of opening 30 so that the combustible gaseous mixture may ow out of the burnerbody into thespectral llame. Tube 32 is mounted in a capillary sleeve 34 which is centrally positioned in bore 28 by the screws 36 to provide clearance between the walls of the bore and the outer surface of the capillary sleeve for passage `of the gaseousmixture. The tubes 32 and 34 are` connected to a plug 38 whichwis screwed into the lower end of the body part 26 to secure the tubes in position in the bore 28.

A series of vertical tubes 4t) is provided at the upper portion of the body part 26 of the burner and are arranged in a circle adjacent opening 30 and are spaced from each other andfrom the arcuate walls 42 of the upper portion of the body part. The tubes transmit a combustible gaseous mixture for ignition at the upper ends of the tubes to provide an auxiliary llame which surrounds the spectral llame andis close to it to prevent the spectral flame from being extinguished. Because of the spacing between the tubes and `the walls `42 of the body part of theburner, a heat insulating air space is provided between the tubes and theupperportion `of the `body partmto minimize heat transfer from the `hot tubes to the body part and thereby help preventvaporization of sample llowing in tube 32. Such vaporization is to be avoided so that a constant owof sample is transmitted to the spectral llame. Thetubes are secured at their lower endsito the body partof the burner but since the tubes are relatively small, little heat is transmittedby conduction from the lower parts of the tubes to the burner body. It will be apparent that an elfective spectralllame burner is thus provided which is well adapted `to provide a flame of high temperature especially useful inv spectral flame analysis, without requiring'water cooling of the burner. In this regard itwill be understood thatjthe speed of the `combustible gaseous mixture to the opening 3 0 is relatively high so that the spectral flame is `spaced slightly above the upper end of the body part of the burner out of contact therewith and hence does riot transmit any appreciable amount of heat to the burner. ,On `the other hand, the speed of liow of the combustible gaseous mixture for the auxiliary llame is considerably less than the speed of liow of the gaseous mixture for the spectral llame so that the auxiliary llame burns at the upper end of tubes lll and heats said tubes by conduction. Although three tubes 40 are shown, it is within'the scope of the invention to provide more than three tubes, if desired.

rIube I6 4transmits the combustible gaseous mixture rom the valve block i4 `to the burner l2 and the outlet end 44 of the tube is mounted in the lower portion of the body part 26 of the burner and is in communication with a passage 46 which communicates with the bore 28. Tube i3 transmits the combustible gaseousV mixture for the auxiliary llame from the valve blockmld to theb'urner and the outlet end 48 of the tube is mounted in the lower portion of the body part 26 of the burner. A vertical tube Sti connects tube i3 with an annular member S2 mounted `the body of the burner. PassageSS is in communication with annular passage ASli. It will be apparent thattube 5t) `transmits the combustible gaseous mixture tothe annular lfue netpass se sa sa er urbes is 'and tively, 'are mounted in a block de which is secured to the 'inlet ends eti and d2, respectively', of

'passage 54, which acts as a manifold, and the mixture is transmitted from the manifold to each of the tubes d@ through passages db ,and 56', respectively;

1d,I respecvalve block 1d, at the upper part thereof, by bolt de. The

l upper part of the valve block contains two horizontal passages 68 and 79 which are in communication with the tubes 16 and `13. Disposed in each of vthese passages d8 and 'le is a mixer which is threaded at one end onto a threaded pin le l:which in turn is threaded into block ed. It will be noted lthat the outer surfaces of mixer 72 are spaced from the v'side Walls and end `wall which define the passage d8 so rthat the combustible mixture flows into passage de and enters the mixer through the aperture 'lo at one end of 4'the Ymixer tube 78. A yseries of mixing cups @il having 'apertures y82 are provided in mixer tube '7.3 and are effective t thoroughly mix together the fu'el gas and oxygen iivhich are Ytransmitted to passages 63 and 7d to provide `thecombustible gaseous mixture for the main flame and the auxiliary flame, respectively. It will be apparent that p ablesour'ce, and fitting 84 is provided in the valve block ,forV the fuel gas and lifting 86 is provided in the valve block for the combustion supporting gas. Needle valves 'are provided in the valve block 14 for controlling thel amount of gas which is supplied to the mixers 2. The

needle valves are identical in construction and the control and flow of the fuel gas for both the spectral flame and Athe auxiliary flame are the same as the flow and control of the combustion supporting gas for the spectral llame and the auxiliary llame. Fitting S4 for the fuel gas is in communication with a passage 88 in the valve block and Vfitting 86 for the combustion supporting gas is in communication with a passage 9i) in the valve block. A vertical passage 92 in the valve block connects passage 88 with a passage 94 and the size of the opening 96 of passage 94 is controlled by needle valve 9S which is in the fuel control valve for the spectral llame. Similarly, a vertical passage 1li@ in the valve block connects passage 99 to a passage 192 Whose opening is controlled by a needle valve 16d for controlling the amount of combustion supporting gas which is supplied for the spectral flame. A passage 1% connects passage 68 with opening i 108 which is in communication with passage 94. A passage 11il connects passage 1de with opening 112 which is in communication with passage 192. ln this manner, a lstream of combustion supporting gas ilowing in passage 110 is introduced into passage 1de where it joins a stream of fuel gas and the mixture is transmitted to passage 68, via a portion of passage 1de, and enters the mixer 72 which is provided in passage ed. From the mixer the mixed gases are supplied to the burner for the spectral llame, via tube 16.

The gas mixture lfor the auxiliary llame is supplied to the burner in a similar manner. A tube 11d connects passage 92 for the fuel gas to a passage 116 whose opening 118 is controlled by a'needle valve 125B which controls the amount of fuel gas for the auxiliary flame. It will be understood that tube 114 is of relatively small diameter andV transmits small kquatities of fuel gas from passage 92 since the auxiliary flame requires substantially less fuel vgasmtlzian thespectral dame. The provision of smallttube' Vrrnatesvthe necessity for providing very small diameter passagesy for the fuel gas in the valve block and correburner, comprising a body part provided with a vertical amarres spending very small needle valves for controlling the novit of` gas in such small diameter passages. Similarly,` a small Y tube .ll-.22,l conneets rpassage 19t) lwith passage` 124 Whose opening is controlled by a, needle valve-126iforcontrol ling the amount of combustion supporting gas whleltiis supplied to the auxiliary llame. A passage 128 in the valve block connects passage '7d with an opening 13) which is in communication with passage 124 and a passage 132 in .the valve blocicconriectspassage with an opening 131i which is in Communication with passage11dA so that the stream of fuel gas Aflowing in passage 132 for the auxiliary flame is introduced into the stream CifA combustion supporting gas oiving in passage 128 for the auxiliary flame and the mixture of the gases is transmitted the passage 7u, via a portion of passage 128, Where it is introduced into the mixer 72 in passage '70 and flows from said mixer to the burner', vvia tube 13; l s

A cover plate 13b is secured to tlie va'lveV block by bolt 13S and overlies tubes 114 and 122 to provide a protective covering for the tubes, A sample feed tube 144) is mounted on the side of the valve block 1d and is secured to the valve block by cover 142. The sample feed tube comprises a series of closely Wound coils of tubing which provide a circular path of dow for the sample between the inlet end 146 of the sample tube and the outlet end' 148 thereof. It will be understood that outlet end 148 is oonnected to the inlet end 15d of sample tube 32. ofthe burner by a suitable length of tubing which is not shown, The relatively small internal diameter of the sample tube 14B which is preferably equal to or less than the internal diameter of burner fuel tube 32 and the length of the path of flow of the sample provided by the coils 144 introduces a considerable amount of friction to the flow` so that the pressure in the feed tube llitl is sufficiently high to r'nini- 'mize the effect of pressure Variations or surges in the sample now. Y

It will be understood that while'the invention has been described with respect to an air cooled burner pursuant to one or more objects of theinvention and the preferred embodiment thereof, it is within the scope of the invention to provide a water `cooled burner having one or all of the various features disclosed herein, unless otherwise indicated in the claims. Also while I have shown and described the preferred embodimentA of the inventiornit will be understood that the invention'may be embodied otherwise than as herein specifically illustratedsor described, and that certain changes in the form and arrangement of parts and in the specific manner of practicing the invention may be made without departing from the underlying ideas or principles of thisl inventionV Within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A spectral dame burner, comprising a body part provided with a vertical bore and an opening at the upper end of said. body part in communication with said bore, said.

body part having a passage in commtuiication with said bore below said upper end for transrnittinga combustible gaseous mixture into the bore for ignition near said opening to provide aV main flame at the upper end of said body part, a tube positioned in said bore and extending longitudinally thereof in communication with said opening for transmitting a sample substance to said main llame for spectral flame analysis,Y and a coil of tubing of small inner diameter connected to the lower end of said last mentioned vertical tube for transmitting said sample substance to the burner, said coil of tubing minimizing surges Vor variations in rate of flow of the sample to the flame of the burner due to minor variations of pressure at which the sample substance is transmitted to said coil.

2. In spectral flame burner apparatus, a spectral dame bore and an opening at the upper end of said body part in communication with said bore, said body part having a passage in communication with said bore below said upper end for transmitting acombustible gaseous mixturer into the bore for ignition at said opening to provide a maintlame at the upper end of said body part, a plurality of tubes disposed externally of the burner and having outlets spaced from each other and from said upper end of said body part and mounted in positions for transmitting a combustible gaseous mixture for ignition at the outlet ends of said tubes to provide an auxiliary llame adjacent said opening for the combustible mixture for said main iiame, a chamber having an inlet for the combustible mixture and a plurality of outlets to which said tubes are connected, respectively, for the supply of the combustible mixture to said tubes from said chamber, and means including a tube connected to the inlet of said chamber for supporting said chamber and for transmitting the combustible mixture thereto.

3. A spectral flame burner, comprising a body part provided with a vertical bore and an opening at the upper end of said body part in communication with said bore, said body part having a passage in communication with said bore below said upper end for transmitting a combustible gaseous mixture into the bore for iginition near said opening to provide a main flame at the upper end of said body part, a tube positioned in said bore and extending longitudinally thereof in communication with said open ing for transmitting a sample substance to said main flame for spectral flame analysis, a coil of tubing of small inner diameter connected to the lower end of said last mentioned vertical tube for transmitting said sample substance to the burner, said coil of tubing minimizing surges or variations in irate of ow of the sample to the flame of the burner due to minor variations of pressure at which the sample substance is transmitted to said coil, and means positioned externally of the burner and spaced from said body part to provide an auxiliary ilame adjacent said opening of said body part, and means positioned below said yopening of said body part of the burner for supporting said auxiliary flame means.

4. A spectral flame burner, comprising a body part provided with a vertical bore and an opening at the upper end of said body part in communication with said bore, said body part having a passage in communication with said bore below said upper end for transmitting a combustible gaseous mixture into the bore for ignition near said opening to provide -a main flame at the upper end of said body part, a tube positioned in said bore and extending longitudinally thereof in communication with said opening `for transmitting a sample subst-ance to said main flame for spectral llame analysis, a coil of tubing of small inner diameter connected to the lower end of said last mentioned vertical tube for transmitting said sample substance to the burner, said coil of tubing minimizing surges or variations in rate of ilow of the sample to the ame of the burner due to minor variations of pressure at which the sample substance is transmitted to said coil, a plurality of tubes disposed externally of the burner and hayingoutlets spaced from each other and from said upper end of said body part and mounted in positions for transmitting a d combustible gaseous mixture for ignition at the outlet ends of said tubes to provide an auxiliary ilame adjacent said opening for the combustible mixture for said main ilame, a valve block, valve controlled passages in said block for the flow therethrough of a fuel gas and a gas to support combustion, gas mixing means in said passages to mix said combustion supporting gas witli said fuel gas to form said combustible mixtures, and separate conduits connected to said valve block and to said body part and in communication with said bore and said tubes, respectively, for` transmitting the combustible gaseous mixture from said mixing means of the valve block simultaneously to said bore for the main flame of said burner and to said tubes for said auxiliary flame.

5. A spectra-l flame burner, comprising a body part provided with a vertical bore and an opening at the upper end of said body part in communication with said bore, said body part having a passage in communication with said bore below said upper end for transmitting combustible gaseous mixture into the bore for ignition near said opening to provide a main ame at the upper end of said body part, a tube positioned in said bore and extending longi-V tudinally thereof in communication with said opening for transmitting a sample substance to said main flame for spectral flame analysis, a coil of tubing of small inner diameter connected to the lower end of said l-ast mentioned vertical tube for transmitting said sample substance to the burner, said coil of tubing minimizing surges or variations in the rate of flow of the sample to the ilame of the burner due to minor variations of pressure at which the sample substance is transmitted to said coil, a plurality of tubes disposed externally of the burner and having outlets spaced from each other and from said upper end of said body part and mounted in positions for transmitting a combustible gaseous mixture for ignition at the outlet ends of said tubes to provide an auxiliary flame adjacent said opening for the combustible mixture for said main llame, and valve controlled gas mixer means for supplying a combustible mixture to said chamber and to said passage to the bore of the burner.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,784,609 12/ 30 Moulder.

1,788,716 l/31 Hepburn.

2,073,448 3/ 37 Fruth et al 158-109 2,430,511 11/47 Hughey 158-118 X 2,714,833 8/55 Gilbert 158-111 X 2,857,799 10/58 Miller 88-14 2,858,729 11/58 Keyes 158-111 X 2,873,798 2/59 Knight 158-115 X 2,888,068 5/59 Flynn 158-118 JAMES W. WESTHAVER, Primary Examiner.

PERCY L. PATRICK, FREDERICK L.` MATTESON,

l R., Examiners. 

2. IN SPECTRAL FLAME BURNER APPARATUS, A SPECTRAL FLAME BURNER, COMPRISING A BODY PART PROVIDED WITH A VERTICAL BORE AND AN OPENING AT THE UPPER END OF SAID BODY PART IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID BORE, SAID BODY PART HAVING A PASSAGE IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID BORE BELOW SAID UPPER END FOR TRANSMITTING A COMBUSTIBLE GASEOUS MIXTURE INTO THE BORE FOR IGNITION AT SAID OPENING TO PROVIDE A MAIN FLAME AT THE UPPER END OF SAID BODY PART, A PLURALITY OF TUBES DISPOSED EXTERNALLY OF THE BURNER AND HAVING OUTLETS SPACED FROM EACH OTHER AND FROM SAID UPPER END OF SAID BODY PART AND MOUNTED IN POSITIONS FOR TRANSMITTING A COMBUSTIBLE GASEOUS MIXTURE FOR IGNITIONS AT THE OUTLET ENDS OF SAID TUBES TO PROVIDE AN AUXILIARY FLAME ADJACENT SAID OPENING FOR THE COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURE FOR SAID MAIN FLAME, A CHAMBER HAVING AN INLET FOR THE COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURE AND A PLURALITY OF OUTLETS TO WHICH SAID TUBES ARE CONNECTED, RESPECTIVELY, FOR THE SUPPLY OF THE COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURE TO SAID TUBES FROM SAID CHAMBER, AND MEANS INCLUDING A TUBE CONNECTED TO THE INLET OF SAID CHAMBER FOR SUPPORTING SAID CHAMBER AND FOR TRANSMITTING THE COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURE THERETO. 